Helpful Tips For Better Moving and Storage

• Label boxes correctly. This will help during the loading and unpacking stage t
  o identify fragile items and keep you organized.
• Group like items together. Keep dishes with tableware, clothes with wardrobe, and so on. This will significantly help during the unpacking phase as you will not have to search from box to box.
• Don't overfill boxes. It is better to have to make two trips for two boxes than to try to fit it all into one and have the bottom burst out while you are carrying it.
• Keep boxes in a dry place. During storage, keeping boxes in a dry, dark place will prevent environmental damage to your valuables from water or the sun.
• Have the proper supplies. Things like packaging tape, label maker, sturdy boxes or storage containers, etc.
• Plan ahead for space restrictions. It is important not to forget to consider the amount of space you have to store things in and not over pack. The worst thing is getting into a new place only to find you don't have room for all of the things you brought with you.
• When lifting, use your legs. When you are lifting heavy boxes or furniture, lift using the power of your legs, not your back. This will make lifting easier and prevent injury.
• Secure items during transport. Have you ever seen a couch on the freeway? Chances are it wasn't properly secured to the vehicle it was being carried on. So this doesn't happen to you, be sure to secure all items before transporting them.
•  If possible, get some help. Moving is one of the most taxing and tiring things we do. It is always helpful to have as many sets of hands as possible, especially to help with the bigger pieces of furniture.
•  Start early. It took you a long time to collect all of that stuff you own; it's going to take you a long time to relocate it all. Getting an early start will leave you less likely to be working into the late hours of the night.
•  Give some things away. Don't use that old lamp anymore? No room for your old Beanie Baby collection? Not enough closet space for clothes that you no longer wear? Whatever it may be, someone somewhere is probably looking for it. Find your nearest Salvation Army or Goodwill drop off and do something good for someone less fortunate while at the same time doing yourself a favor by making extra space.
•  Plan a moving day in advance. By planning your moving day in advance you are more likely to be able to convince some friends to keep their schedule open that day so they can help you move. About one month prior to your move in date, organize an itinerary for your move in and follow it. This will take most of the guesswork out of things.
•  Don't forget utilities and amenities. Schedule your power, gas, phone, cable, etc. to be turned on for your move in date. This way, once you have moved all of your things in, you are completely ready to go and won't be left in the dark so to speak.
•  Carefully store boxes. Take your time when you are storing boxes of your valuables not to stack heavy boxes on top of boxes containing fragile items. Keep heavy things on the bottom, and lighter, more delicate items on top.
•  Put it on paper. Make lists of what you need to store first, what you need to store last, and what doesn't need storage. Following a list like this will alleviate some of the stress and make prioritizing your packing simple.
•  Know your dimensions. Take measurements of your storage space and/or home before you start trying to load stuff into it. This way you know just how much space you have and how much you actually need to house all of your items. San Diego self storage

» left by Marijo Phelps

2 years 7 days ago.
139 fans.

Those $3-$5 plastic snap top boxes were great - we are still using them 5 years later (after the move) for storage, cutting a hole in them for cheap high sided kitty litter boxes and etc. No bottoms fall out of these either. Thanks for the hints! Marijo

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